Published: Monday, September 30, 2013 at 08:59 PM.

TALLAHASSEE — Based on preseason predictions, Maryland wasn’t expected to give Florida State or the Atlantic Coast Conference much of a challenge. Neither was Boston College and everyone saw how that went Saturday.

FSU entertains Maryland for an 11 a.m. CDT game Saturday in a matchup of unbeaten teams. The Terrapins (4-0) have broken into the Top 25 and matched their win total of last season, one marked with a rash of injuries and six straight losses to end the year. The Seminoles (4-0, 2-0) are steady at No. 8 after holding back the Eagles 48-34.

FSU coach Jimbo Fisher stressed the importance of the game in his weekly press conference Monday. It’s not only a conference game, Maryland’s first test after playing four non-ACC teams, but a divisional tilt. Both teams reside in the Atlantic Division with the crucial head-to-head tiebreaker at stake.

Fisher noted how Maryland is playing with confidence with nearly 40 points per game and the top scoring defense in the conference with the Terrapins limiting foes to 10 a contest. The Terrapins, like the Eagles, also have had two weeks to prepare for FSU. Boston College used the extra time wisely and put up nearly 400 yards of total offense.

“I don’t listen to preseason polls or anything,” Fisher said of Maryland being predicted to finish at the bottom of the standings. “Maryland, as you see, is a very good team.”

Maryland trails only FSU in total yards, passing efficiency and points from the kicking game. Boston College was near the bottom of the statistical ledger and gave the Seminoles a scare. Maryland no doubt is sifting through tape to find openings in FSU’s defense, but Fisher said the troubles weren’t major.

Fisher said he doesn’t have qualms with Jeremy Pruitt’s new defensive scheme. It’s proved to be effective, especially later in games when the Seminoles make adjustments. Fisher said it was a matter of being in the right position and stopping ball carriers.

TALLAHASSEE — Based on preseason predictions, Maryland wasn’t expected to give Florida State or the Atlantic Coast Conference much of a challenge. Neither was Boston College and everyone saw how that went Saturday.

FSU entertains Maryland for an 11 a.m. CDT game Saturday in a matchup of unbeaten teams. The Terrapins (4-0) have broken into the Top 25 and matched their win total of last season, one marked with a rash of injuries and six straight losses to end the year. The Seminoles (4-0, 2-0) are steady at No. 8 after holding back the Eagles 48-34.

FSU coach Jimbo Fisher stressed the importance of the game in his weekly press conference Monday. It’s not only a conference game, Maryland’s first test after playing four non-ACC teams, but a divisional tilt. Both teams reside in the Atlantic Division with the crucial head-to-head tiebreaker at stake.

Fisher noted how Maryland is playing with confidence with nearly 40 points per game and the top scoring defense in the conference with the Terrapins limiting foes to 10 a contest. The Terrapins, like the Eagles, also have had two weeks to prepare for FSU. Boston College used the extra time wisely and put up nearly 400 yards of total offense.

“I don’t listen to preseason polls or anything,” Fisher said of Maryland being predicted to finish at the bottom of the standings. “Maryland, as you see, is a very good team.”

Maryland trails only FSU in total yards, passing efficiency and points from the kicking game. Boston College was near the bottom of the statistical ledger and gave the Seminoles a scare. Maryland no doubt is sifting through tape to find openings in FSU’s defense, but Fisher said the troubles weren’t major.

Fisher said he doesn’t have qualms with Jeremy Pruitt’s new defensive scheme. It’s proved to be effective, especially later in games when the Seminoles make adjustments. Fisher said it was a matter of being in the right position and stopping ball carriers.

“There are plays to be made,” Fisher said. “We should be shooting through the holes and making plays.

“That’s very easily corrected. It’s not a blame on the players, we have to coach them better.”

FSU’s defense has started slowly in each of its four games. The offense was slow to respond against Boston College and FSU trailed 17-3, its largest deficit of the season. The Seminoles have been behind in each game but not for long.

Fisher said the goal is to obviously turn around the trend. Playing while ahead is ideal but he admitted the early adversity has helped a roster full of young players grow each week.

“In hindsight, we want to do better at the beginning and start from ahead and we’ll continue to work on those things,” Fisher said. “But we have found out a lot about our team that we can keep our poise, stay true to the process and be able to make adjustments and still win a football game.”

’Nole notes: FSU defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. is expected to play Saturday. He missed last week’s game with a broken hand. The stitches have been removed and Fisher was confident he would return. … Defensive back Tyler Hunter is still being evaluated for a neck injury. Jalen Ramsey started at strong safety against Boston College and was second on the team with seven solo tackles. He’s listed as the starter at strong safety this week as well. … Fisher praised freshman safety Nate Andrews for his play Saturday after he had four tackles, two solo, and a key late interception. Fisher said Andrews plays with “intensity, immediacy and intelligence.”

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